COLOR: This extended exposure photo was taken a few days ago in full darkness--around 9:30 at night. The long exposure, (about 5 minutes @ASA 1000 @ F2.8) allows the camera to gather light that is invisible to the human eye. It shows the bay as bikers would see it, say, in the early morning, if we had a path to ride on between Eureka and Arcata.
However, trying to look at the Bay from the side of the Freeway, where we must ride now, means risking your life.
B&W: Near midnight, Arcata bottoms. Available light + some flashlight "painting." This was a REALLY long exposure. Proving? That "dark" is a state of mind.
Night photo fans may want to check out this intriguing gallery.
Neat photo. Are you using actual film or is the ASA according to a digital camera?
ReplyDeleteJack, This was a 1000 ASA roll of print film--that "expired" 10 years ago! I "painted" the foreground with a flashlight for a few seconds.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of night photography is wholly experimental. No light meters or exposure charts. I did very different exposures and took notes.
Apparently, you want film, not digital for night photos. Nobody has yet figured out how to expose digital for minutes at a time without ending up with masses of "noise."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, new territory for me. And fun.
I think you're right about that "noise" issue. Besides, my cheapo digital can only keep the "shutter" open for 18 seconds.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost tempted to pull out my old camera and play around with film now!
Yeah, this is one fight that film still wins hands down.
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Jack. The results will surprise you--and me.
Couple of notes from the field:
You might want to take notes on exposure times and shutter speeds. I went from 1 to ten minute exposures in the course of an evening.
You will need a cable release and a camera with a BULB setting, so you can let the shutter stay open to collect whatever light is out there.
Dress warmly. If you want more than a handful of pictures, you will be out there in the weather for and hour or more.
I for one, will look forward to your results.